Japan Package Design Student Award 2026

The Japan Package Design Association (JPDA) has opened entries for the fifth Japan Package Design Student Award 2026, a competition that invites students to submit original package design work. This year's theme is WOW!, asking entrants to create packaging with fresh ideas, never-before-seen expression and a sharp concept that makes viewers react with surprise and delight.

The award is open to students living in Japan who are enrolled at a university or vocational school at the time of entry and who have no past or present professional activity; high school students are not eligible. Nationality and field of study are not restricted, and entries are individual only. Works are judged on design quality and creativity by a panel of JPDA member judges and external special judges, with a Grand Prize, Gold, Silver and Bronze prizes, corporate prizes and special judges' prizes. The grand prize winner receives 100,000 yen and an invitation to the awards ceremony, with additional cash prizes for other winners. Winning works are scheduled for publication in the Package Design in Japan annual.

The entry period runs from June 4 to July 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. There is an entry fee of 1,500 yen per work. First-round results are announced in early September, with final results in early November and the awards ceremony on November 24. Entries are submitted through the dedicated application site.